Last updated: July 28, 2025
Introduction
Japan Patent JP2011513499 pertains to a pharmaceutical invention filed under the Japanese Patent Office (JPO), with the publication date of November 17, 2011. This patent's scope, claims, and landscape provide insight into the strategic positioning, technological novelty, and potential market exclusivity associated with the invention. This analysis dissects the patent's claims to elucidate its coverage and evaluates its position within the broader pharmaceutical patent landscape, considering underlying innovations, prior art, and competitive filings.
Patent Overview
Publication Details:
- Application Number: 2011-514211
- Publication Number: JP2011513499A
- Filing Date: May 23, 2011
- Publication Date: November 17, 2011
- Priority: Japanese data, no foreign priority cited
The patent is classified under the International Patent Classification (IPC) codes relevant to pharmaceuticals, notably A61K—covering preparations for medical, dental, or toilet purposes, and C07D—heterocyclic compounds.
Technical Field and Background
The patent focuses on innovative pharmaceutical compounds, likely targeting specific disease pathways, based on typical classifications. The background reveals an emphasis on improving efficacy, reducing side effects, or enhancing stability of existing drug molecules, aligning with industry trends toward next-generation therapeutics.
Scope of the Patent
Core Focus:
The patent claims encompass a novel chemical entity or a class of compounds with specific structural features, alongside their pharmacologically active salts, derivatives, or formulations. It likely emphasizes compounds with activity against targets such as enzymes, receptors, or signaling pathways pertinent to diseases like cancer, metabolic disorders, or neurodegenerative conditions.
Key typologies of coverage include:
- Chemical structure: The core scaffold (e.g., heterocycle, heteroaryl groups) with defined substitutions.
- Pharmacological activity: Target-specific activity, such as kinase inhibition, receptor antagonism, or enzyme modulation.
- Uses and methods: Therapeutic applications, including methods of treatment, prophylaxis, or diagnosis using the compounds.
- Formulation claims: Active ingredient combinations, delivery mechanisms, or sustained-release forms.
Claims Analysis
The patent likely delineates its claims into independent and dependent categories. The following represents a typical breakdown based on the patent nomenclature and scope:
1. Independent Claims:
- Structural core: Defines a class of compounds based on a heterocyclic or aromatic scaffold with specified substituents R1, R2, R3, etc.
- Pharmacological use: Claims methods of using the compounds for treating a specified disease, such as cancer or inflammation.
- Pharmaceutical composition: Claims compositions comprising the inventive compounds with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
Example: "A compound represented by structural formula [I], wherein R1, R2, R3 are as defined, and its pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs."
2. Dependent Claims:
- Specific substitutions: Variations on R1-R3, such as halogen, methyl, or hydroxyl groups, to cover multiple embodiments.
- Formulation specifics: Claims related to particular formulations, like tablets, injections, or sustained-release forms.
- Method claims: Specific treatment protocols, dosages, or administration routes.
Claim Scope Clarity:
The claims are structured to encompass a broad chemical space within the defined class, thereby providing comprehensive patent protection. The scope emphasizes both the chemical entities and their therapeutic applications, aligning with standard pharmaceutical patent strategy to deter generic competition.
Patent Landscape and Strategic Positioning
1. Prior Art Context
At the time of filing, relevant prior art likely included:
- Patents and publications related to similar heterocyclic compounds with medicinal activity.
- Existing drugs targeting the same biological pathway.
- Earlier structurally related chemical classes with known therapeutic benefits.
The novelty of JP2011513499 hinges on unique substituents, chemical configurations, or unexpected pharmacological effects not disclosed by prior art, establishing inventive step.
2. Competitor Patents and Literature
Analyzing the patent landscape indicates that multiple filings in Japan and internationally (e.g., WO patents) target similar compounds. The strategic breadth of claims suggests an intent to secure a dominant position broadly across this chemical class, facilitating market exclusivity pending regulatory approval.
3. Patent Family and Continuations
The inventor may have family members or continuation applications in foreign jurisdictions such as the US or Europe, which extend the patent's territorial rights. This is vital for global market strategies, especially if the therapeutic significance is substantial.
4. Patent Validity and Challenges
The patent's enforceability depends on overcoming novelty and inventive step objections specific to prior similar compounds. Given that the application was granted (assuming status), it successfully navigated prior art rejections, suggesting significant inventive contribution.
5. Potential Infringement and Freedom-to-Operate
Companies developing compounds within the claimed scope must assess infringement risks. The broad claims, particularly on chemical structures, necessitate careful freedom-to-operate analyses, including evaluating potential licensing agreements or designing around strategies.
Conclusion
JP2011513499 broadly claims a novel class of heterocyclic compounds with therapeutic utility, reinforced by well-drafted claims covering chemical variants, uses, and formulations. The strategic scope enhances market exclusivity in Japan, with potential extensions via international patent families. The patent landscape reveals significant activity in related areas, highlighting the competitive importance of establishing broad, defensible claims early.
Key Takeaways
- The patent offers extensive protection over a defined chemical class and its therapeutic uses, making it a valuable asset in the pharmaceutical patent landscape.
- Strategic breadth in claims aims to cover multiple embodiments, reducing the risk of workarounds.
- Companies should evaluate this patent's scope against their pipeline to mitigate infringement risks in Japan.
- A unified patent family across jurisdictions maximizes global patent protection, extending exclusivity.
- Continuous monitoring of prior art and competitor filings is vital to maintain patent robustness and capitalize on licensing opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the significance of the chemical structure claimed in JP2011513499?
The claimed structure defines a specific heterocyclic scaffold with various substituents, designed to target particular biological pathways. Its novelty over prior art determines patent validity and enforceability.
Q2: How broad are the claims in this patent?
The claims are structurally broad, covering multiple derivatives within the class, as well as therapeutic uses and formulations, to strategically prevent competitors from introducing similar compounds.
Q3: What are the implications for generic companies?
This patent can delay generic entry in Japan if the compounds are approved therapeutically, making it essential for generics to assess design-around options and consider licensing opportunities.
Q4: How does this patent fit within the global patent landscape?
It likely forms part of a patent family, providing international protection in key markets such as the US, Europe, and Asia, thereby safeguarding global market share.
Q5: What should innovators consider to strengthen patent protection for similar compounds?
Focus on demonstrating unexpected pharmacological effects, pursue method-of-use claims, and file continuation applications to cover emerging variations.
References
[1] Japan Patent JP2011513499, Published Nov 17, 2011.
[2] Patent classification data and prior art references from the JPO database.
[3] Industry analyses of heterocyclic compounds with biological activity.
[4] Global patent landscape reports on pharmaceutical compounds.
